Recycling/salvaging company fined after worker hurt in fall

Tuesday September 22, 2015

Written by Ontario Ministry of Labour

Sept. 22, 2015 - A numbered company, 6322093 Manitoba Inc., operating as Global Recycling & Recovery in the business of scrap salvage, demolition and dismantling operations, has pleaded guilty and has been fined $55,000 after a worker fell and suffered fractures while removing equipment from a decommissioned Thunder Bay, Ont., mill.

The company was contracted to dismantle and remove assets from a former mill located at 965 Strathcona Avenue in Thunder Bay.

On December 17, 2013, a worker was on the third floor of the mill and removing equipment by pushing it through an open hatchway, which would then fall to the floor below to be taken away, according to the Ministry of Labour (MOL) investigation. While pushing a large metal cabinet weighing approximately 150 pounds, the worker’s glove became caught in the cabinet and the worker was pulled over the edge of the hatchway, says the MOL. The worker fell about 19 ft. and suffered numerous fractures.

The investigation, that took place the same day, determined that workers were not protected by any means of fall protection while exposed to a fall hazard of more than 3 m (9.84 ft.). This is contrary to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Ontario Regulation 213/91 (the Construction Projects Regulation).

In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.